My first RN job has lead me to a more rural part of the country. As a person of color, I have never experienced racism to this degree.
Some instances are subtle at work, but some are pretty blatant.
My first experience occurred when my preceptor mentioned repeatedly that I have a "black card" so I must be golden at my new position. (I never questioned her on what she meant.) My preceptor also mentioned things like "since you are black things will get stolen from you." Phrases like 'slave driver' have also repeatedly been mentioned in passing with my preceptor. Since I was on orientation, I let a lot of comments go and ignored them, due to fear of being let go or retaliation.
Now, the worst thing is that I have noted on several occasions, confederate flags waving from behind pick up trucks.
I'm not sure if I can stick it out for over a year in this place. What would you do?
NOW you know what the real world..outside the big protection of city life is like. Your first job as an RN? OR you can choose to enjoy the red neck community. Negro/African American/Black, our Victorian Culture is trying to homogenize the USA and Canada. It aint working. Become a professional at this, and smile everytime they say something rude.
For us that say, poor you. That is written from the safety of your computer. Racism is alive and well, and it aint going away. Some rural area, especially in the deep south, its alive and well. Your so called precipatator, is not doing well at his/her job.
I have found that if you do your best and am good at what you do, people get past race or gender and sexual orientation. There are confederate flags and black power flags and gay power flags. Each stands for something that is offensive to someone somewhere. I was a female Army officer trying to work with very a male dominated and male oriented culture in the Middle East. My mission was to work with the Iraqi population in certain things. Men refused to talk or deal with me at first. Not all but most. When they realized I had the skill and power to help them, and they were missing out , they were OK with my being female. I was always aware of being scrutinized and criticized. When Iraqi men asked " you are here in Iraq, who is taking care of and cooking for your children and husband?" I would say my husband ! He is such a good cook! " And then I would talk about how I loved Iraqi food. We always had an interpreter with us. They soon forgot I was female and we got down to business. It's called deflection. My being female was no longer important because I walked the walk. Motto of this story? Be what you are - a professional nurse. People will soon get past their prejudice. Remember perception can be deceiving too. Quit looking for racism. Lighten up and be who you are - a good nurse.
If you don't feel safe, it could affect your patient care, and then they would not be safe either. I am so sorry your first job is so distressful. Your first year is stressful enough without the outside influence of this behavior. Pray about it, then make your decision. Best wishes to you!
oh please! Enough of the I feel for you! This racist behaviour has been around for years. Its directed against Negro, Middle Eastern Asians. Get used it. These people were brought up by parents who were racist themselves. Its a learned behaviour. Not a dang thing you can do about it. This might toughen you up, to know how to handle people who are not as pure and civilized as we think we are. For people who live with their heads in sand, its time to pull out. Racism is alive and well, despite what the bureaucrats and unions have to say. Everything is not well in Pleasantville USA or Canada. Do your job, fight out the year, then before the year is out, start looking for another job. you mentioned you had a hard time getting your RN status?
Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.
Ignorant people are infuriating to deal with, especially as patients. I had a demented patient that the offgoing nurse could not describe as such in report. I was like "you mean he's clearly a homophobic racist?" This guy would gleefully yell at the 'n-words' and 'f--s' walking by, so needless to say, we didn't give him to any nurses of color and kept the door shut.
I have found that if you do your best and am good at what you do, people get past race or gender and sexual orientation. There are confederate flags and black power flags and gay power flags. Each stands for something that is offensive to someone somewhere. I was a female Army officer trying to work with very a male dominated and male oriented culture in the Middle East. My mission was to work with the Iraqi population in certain things. Men refused to talk or deal with me at first. Not all but most. When they realized I had the skill and power to help them, and they were missing out , they were OK with my being female. I was always aware of being scrutinized and criticized. When Iraqi men asked " you are here in Iraq, who is taking care of and cooking for your children and husband?" I would say my husband ! He is such a good cook! " And then I would talk about how I loved Iraqi food. We always had an interpreter with us. They soon forgot I was female and we got down to business. It's called deflection. My being female was no longer important because I walked the walk. Motto of this story? Be what you are - a professional nurse. People will soon get past their prejudice. Remember perception can be deceiving too. Quit looking for racism. Lighten up and be who you are - a good nurse.
It is good you were able to deal with this situation and gain their trust. But to me it indicates that you - a woman, and for the OP - an African American, have to prove that you are deserving of respect; not simply as professionals, but as people deserving equality just because they are people.
You may be right that if the OP were to just be a professional nurse all the problems would go away - I doubt it, but it's possible. But the blame and the problem is not of your causing and the solution should not be that we ignore it and hope it goes away.
And the black power flags and gay power flags are primarily a reaction against a prejudiced, unjust society. I'm not saying that there aren't any people in these groups who might be prejudiced against a society which has a long history of injustice and oppression. But, to compare it to the confederate flag?!?! I do not confer that flag and all of the south as one thing, but if I think about each of those flags, and the founding principles of this nation. I find the confederate flag to be the one that still looks to honor a system that was based on subjugation. I'm not saying this nation is perfect elsewhere (the North), it is not. We all have work to do on making our world better.
And, I don't think the OP was looking for racism. And, even if this were true in some instances, I see it all too often without having to look for it.
I was in similar situation couple years ago...it was miserable but i stuck it out an left ASAP after my 1 yr mark an enjoying the big diverse city I currently live in...I would say hang in there unless you feel its a threat to your safety an mental well being...God make it easy on you:)
The other day I overheard a patient speaking very loudly to a nurse manager, he said " I almost punched me a N****r last night." She smiled and said "oh you did," Gleefully. I was in earshot. She said nothing to me. I just don't know how this is ok, today.
What!? Who talks to other people they don't even know like this, like it is normal!?
How can speaking in your mother tongue make an environment hostile? I would think it is your prejudice that makes you think like that. Don't you speak in your own mother tongue in the workplace? So do others. Please stop this Eurocentric thinking. Accept other people like to speak in their own language, unless you are part of the conversation. Then and only then it would be rude. Two Filipinos should be speaking in their own language to each other and not in a foreign language for fear of offending some self appointed layer of law.
I have no idea what it feels like to be you. (For only a few months I lived in a town where my skin color was a minority, and it was unnerving - but it a good way...because I needed that experience). BUT this? What you are saying? I couldnt take it. I'd leave. Yes it makes more sense to stay for a year but honestly, I'd get the h$ll outta there asap.
I suggest a nursing professional Liability Insurance policy. They are usually less than 100$ a year and have like 5 million in coverage. They also can represent you in nursing board hearings and actions. I would stick it out, with the understanding you are in a hostile environment, but I strongly suggest you look into taking actions to protect your license if some person makes an accusation against you. Plus, having insurance is just professional. (in my opinion)
Roy Hanson
211 Posts
NOW you know what the real world..outside the big protection of city life is like. Your first job as an RN? OR you can choose to enjoy the red neck community. Negro/African American/Black, our Victorian Culture is trying to homogenize the USA and Canada. It aint working. Become a professional at this, and smile everytime they say something rude.
For us that say, poor you. That is written from the safety of your computer. Racism is alive and well, and it aint going away. Some rural area, especially in the deep south, its alive and well. Your so called precipatator, is not doing well at his/her job.